Soybean development as a function of traffic of tractor with radial tires

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the development of soybean as a function of traffic levels of an agricultural tractor equipped with radial tires in two collection areas. The experiment was conducted in an area located at the State University of Maringá, Campus of Umuarama-PR, Brazil, in a soil classified as Red Oxisol with sandy texture. The experiment was set in a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement, with five levels of traffic on the same track (T1 = 1, T2 = 6, T3 = 11, T4 = 16 and T5 = 21 tractor passes), two collection areas (A1 = on the track and A2 = off the track) and four replicates. Soil physical parameters and characteristics of the soybean plants were evaluated. Soybean yield on the track did not show significant difference up to 6 passes. It was concluded that the traffic levels and soil resistance to penetration interfere with soybean yield for both collection areas.